Cuttack: Two criminals, allegedly involved in illicit arms trade, were arrested on Tuesday. The accused have been identified as Manas Ranjan Das, 31, alias Pua and Hara Prasad Sahu, 32, alias Harish.
cting on a tip-off that some goons had assembled near the Santa Sahi canal, the police raided the spot and nabbed the duo. Two automatic pistols, two magazines, eight round of live bullets, knife, six cell phones and five ATM cards were recovered from their possession.

Bhubaneswar: The National Green Tribunal has issued a notice to the ministry of environment and forests, the Posco authorities and the state pollution control board over the environmental clearance given to the integrated steel plant and captive port. The tribunal has ordered to file a reply within four months. Social activist Prafulla Samantray filed a petition at the tribunal challenging the clearance given to the project.

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Jana Sammilani, a voluntary organisation, on Tuesday urged chief minister Naveen Patnaik to bring suitable changes in the state's mining policy to protect the mineral wealth. At a seminar, organised last week, participants had passed many resolutions seeking changes in the mining policy. The conference asked the state government not to lease out any mine of major minerals to any private individual or private company, nor allow any mine-raising contract to them.

Bhubaneswar: Twelve persons were killed and six others injured in thunder strikes at various parts across the state on Tuesday. Three persons died in Kendrapara district. On Monday, 17 people were killed in thunder strikes across the state.

Berhampur: A 30-year-old woman of Goutami village died due to defective family planning operation on Monday. “My wife Mahadei was operated in a family-planning operation camp at Adapada Health Centre by an eye specialist on July 24 last. She had developed abdominal pain and other side affects,” said R. Narasingha Reddy, husband of Mahadei. The couple has three children. The villagers have demanded Rs 5 lakh compensation to the husband.